Dynamic data collection communication between adapter functions

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided that collects data from a multi-function adapter that is used by multiple functions. In the approach, a master function is dynamically selected from the group of functions. The approach further allows the master function to perform a disruptive adapter data collection while inhibiting performance of disruptive adapter data collection processes by the other (non-master) functions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern networks adapters (e.g., Converged Network Adapters (CNAs), etc.)include multiple protocols and are represented by multiple PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI) functions while being mapped to a singlephysical device (the actual adapter). From the operating systemperspective, each function appears as a stand alone device, however atthe device driver level, each of the functions needs to be able tocommunicate with each other for proper management and serialization ofconcurrent and redundant adapter and function firmware (FW), such as inperforming FW dumps. FW dumps can have a multitude of scopes and impactsto be taken into account in order to preserve granular availability andserviceability. For example, network interface controller (NIC)functions may share a firmware image while Fibre Channel or RemoteDirect Memory Access (RDMA) functions might not share an image. An RDMAfunctions firmware dump may include NIC function firmware and can alsobe a disruptive operation. Any of the functions firmware dump may bedisruptive across the entire adapter. Lastly, functions are fullydynamic, in traditional systems, it is difficult or impossible toidentify which function running at the adapter will perform a disruptivefirmware dump.

SUMMARY

An approach is provided that collects data from a multi-function adapterthat is used by multiple functions. In the approach, a master functionis dynamically selected from the group of functions. The approachfurther allows the master function to perform a disruptive adapter datacollection while inhibiting performance of disruptive adapter datacollection processes by the other (non-master) functions.

The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, asdefined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limitingdetailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a data processing system in which themethods described herein can be implemented;

FIG. 2 provides an extension of the information handling systemenvironment shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate that the methods describedherein can be performed on a wide variety of information handlingsystems which operate in a networked environment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a set of functions that operate on a commonadapter collecting data from the adapter using a master function;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting processing performed at each functionthat is operating on the common adapter to collect data when necessary;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an inherent approach to electing amaster function that collects data from the adapter;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the steps performed by one of thefunctions to collect data after being elected the master function; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting the steps performed by the non-masterfunctions to communicate with a master function and to collect data in anon-disruptive manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take theform of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent disclosure may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The following detailed description will generally follow the summary ofthe disclosure, as set forth above, further explaining and expanding thedefinitions of the various aspects and embodiments of the disclosure asnecessary.

The following detailed description will generally follow the summary ofthe invention, as set forth above, further explaining and expanding thedefinitions of the various aspects and embodiments of the invention asnecessary. To this end, this detailed description first sets forth acomputing environment in FIG. 1 that is suitable to implement thesoftware and/or hardware techniques associated with the invention. Anetworked environment is illustrated in FIG. 2 as an extension of thebasic computing environment, to emphasize that modern computingtechniques can be performed across multiple discrete devices.

FIG. 1 illustrates information handling system 100, which is asimplified example of a computer system capable of performing thecomputing operations described herein. Information handling system 100includes one or more processors 110 coupled to processor interface bus112. Processor interface bus 112 connects processors 110 to Northbridge115, which is also known as the Memory Controller Hub (MCH). Northbridge115 connects to system memory 120 and provides a means for processor(s)110 to access the system memory. Graphics controller 125 also connectsto Northbridge 115. In one embodiment, PCI Express bus 118 connectsNorthbridge 115 to graphics controller 125. Graphics controller 125connects to display device 130, such as a computer monitor.

Northbridge 115 and Southbridge 135 connect to each other using bus 119.In one embodiment, the bus is a Direct Media Interface (DMI) bus thattransfers data at high speeds in each direction between Northbridge 115and Southbridge 135. In another embodiment, a Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus connects the Northbridge and the Southbridge.Southbridge 135, also known as the I/O Controller Hub (ICH) is a chipthat generally implements capabilities that operate at slower speedsthan the capabilities provided by the Northbridge. Southbridge 135typically provides various busses used to connect various components.These busses include, for example, PCI and PCI Express busses, an ISAbus, a System Management Bus (SMBus or SMB), and/or a Low Pin Count(LPC) bus. The LPC bus often connects low-bandwidth devices, such asboot ROM 196 and “legacy” I/O devices (using a “super I/O” chip). The“legacy” I/O devices (198) can include, for example, serial and parallelports, keyboard, mouse, and/or a floppy disk controller. The LPC busalso connects Southbridge 135 to Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 195.Other components often included in Southbridge 135 include a DirectMemory Access (DMA) controller, a Programmable Interrupt Controller(PIC), and a storage device controller, which connects Southbridge 135to nonvolatile storage device 185, such as a hard disk drive, using bus184.

ExpressCard 155 is a slot that connects hot-pluggable devices to theinformation handling system. ExpressCard 155 supports both PCI Expressand USB connectivity as it connects to Southbridge 135 using both theUniversal Serial Bus (USB) the PCI Express bus. Southbridge 135 includesUSB Controller 140 that provides USB connectivity to devices thatconnect to the USB. These devices include webcam (camera) 150, infrared(IR) receiver 148, keyboard and trackpad 144, and Bluetooth device 146,which provides for wireless personal area networks (PANs). USBController 140 also provides USB connectivity to other miscellaneous USBconnected devices 142, such as a mouse, removable nonvolatile storagedevice 145, modems, network cards, ISDN connectors, fax, printers, USBhubs, and many other types of USB connected devices. While removablenonvolatile storage device 145 is shown as a USB-connected device,removable nonvolatile storage device 145 could be connected using adifferent interface, such as a Firewire interface, et cetera.

Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) device 175 connects to Southbridge 135via the PCI or PCI Express bus 172. LAN device 175 typically implementsone of the IEEE 802.11 standards of over-the-air modulation techniquesthat all use the same protocol to wireless communicate betweeninformation handling system 100 and another computer system or device.Optical storage device 190 connects to Southbridge 135 using Serial ATA(SATA) bus 188. Serial ATA adapters and devices communicate over ahigh-speed serial link. The Serial ATA bus also connects Southbridge 135to other forms of storage devices, such as hard disk drives. Audiocircuitry 160, such as a sound card, connects to Southbridge 135 via bus158. Audio circuitry 160 also provides functionality such as audioline-in and optical digital audio in port 162, optical digital outputand headphone jack 164, internal speakers 166, and internal microphone168. Ethernet controller 170 connects to Southbridge 135 using a bus,such as the PCI or PCI Express bus. Ethernet controller 170 connectsinformation handling system 100 to a computer network, such as a LocalArea Network (LAN), the Internet, and other public and private computernetworks.

While FIG. 1 shows one information handling system, an informationhandling system may take many forms. For example, an informationhandling system may take the form of a desktop, server, portable,laptop, notebook, or other form factor computer or data processingsystem. In addition, an information handling system may take other formfactors such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, ATMmachine, a portable telephone device, a communication device or otherdevices that include a processor and memory.

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM 195) shown in FIG. 1 and describedherein to provide security functions is but one example of a hardwaresecurity module (HSM). Therefore, the TPM described and claimed hereinincludes any type of HSM including, but not limited to, hardwaresecurity devices that conform to the Trusted Computing Groups (TCG)standard, and entitled “Trusted Platform Module (TPM) SpecificationVersion 1.2.” The TPM is a hardware security subsystem that may beincorporated into any number of information handling systems, such asthose outlined in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 provides an extension of the information handling systemenvironment shown in FIG. 1 to illustrate that the methods describedherein can be performed on a wide variety of information handlingsystems that operate in a networked environment. Types of informationhandling systems range from small handheld devices, such as handheldcomputer/mobile telephone 210 to large mainframe systems, such asmainframe computer 270. Examples of handheld computer 210 includepersonal digital assistants (PDAs), personal entertainment devices, suchas MP3 players, portable televisions, and compact disc players. Otherexamples of information handling systems include pen, or tablet,computer 220, laptop, or notebook, computer 230, workstation 240,personal computer system 250, and server 260. Other types of informationhandling systems that are not individually shown in FIG. 2 arerepresented by information handling system 280. As shown, the variousinformation handling systems can be networked together using computernetwork 200. Types of computer network that can be used to interconnectthe various information handling systems include Local Area Networks(LANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), the Internet, the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), other wireless networks, and anyother network topology that can be used to interconnect the informationhandling systems. Many of the information handling systems includenonvolatile data stores, such as hard drives and/or nonvolatile memory.Some of the information handling systems shown in FIG. 2 depictsseparate nonvolatile data stores (server 260 utilizes nonvolatile datastore 265, mainframe computer 270 utilizes nonvolatile data store 275,and information handling system 280 utilizes nonvolatile data store285). The nonvolatile data store can be a component that is external tothe various information handling systems or can be internal to one ofthe information handling systems. In addition, removable nonvolatilestorage device 145 can be shared among two or more information handlingsystems using various techniques, such as connecting the removablenonvolatile storage device 145 to a USB port or other connector of theinformation handling systems.

FIGS. 3-7 depict an approach that can be executed on an informationhandling system and computer network as shown in FIGS. 1-2. In thisapproach, rather than any functions utilizing a multi-function adaptercollecting data in what might be a disruptive manner, one function,designated the “master function” is selected to coordinate datacollection from the adapter and is the only function allowed to collectdata in what might be a disruptive manner. In one embodiment, when afunction identifies a problem with an adapter or otherwise identifies asituation where data collection from the adapter is needed, the functionrequests election to be the “master” function. In this manner, any ofthe functions running at the adapter can request election to be themaster function when such function identifies a need to collect datafrom the adapter. In a further embodiment, the master functionidentifies whether data collection is urgent. For example, if a requestis received from an operator to collect data and such request is noturgent, then the master function allows the other function a smallamount of time before performing what might be a disruptive datacollection process. On the other hand, if the data collection is deemedurgent, such as a detected problem with the adapter, then the masterfunction collects data from the adapter in what might be a disruptivemanner at essentially the same time that the other functions arenotified that a data collection process is about to begin. The otherfunctions also gather data from the adapter, however non-masterfunctions only gather data in a non-disruptive manner so such datacollections do not disrupt the operation of other functions also usingthe multi-function adapter. When the master detects that its datacollection process has completed, as well as the completion of thenon-disruptive data collection processes performed by the non-masterfunctions, then the master function signals to the other functions thatnormal operations can continue at the adapter and the master functionrelinquishes its role as the master function.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a set of functions that operate on a commonadapter collecting data from the adapter using a master function; Fourfunctions (Func 0, 1, 2, and 3) are operating on the system andutilizing multi-function adapter 300. Multi-function adapter 300 can becapable of running multiple protocols. In the example shown, themulti-function adapter is running both a Fibre Channel protocol and anEthernet protocol with the Fibre Channel protocol being depicted asrunning on the left side of multi-function adapter 300 (Func 0 (310) andFunc 2 (312)) and the Ethernet protocol as being depicted as running onthe right side of the adapter (Func 1 (311) and Func 3 (313)). Two portsare shown in the adapter with Port A being depicted as providing I/O forthe top half of the multi-function adapter (Func 0 (310) and Func 1(311)) and Port B being depicted as providing I/O for the bottom half ofthe multi-function adapter (Func 2 (312) and Func 3 (313)). As shown, adisruptive data collection process that is executed on adapter 300 iscapable of disrupting disparate functions that are running differentprotocols. In order to collect data from adapter 300 in a lessdisruptive manner, one of the functions is selected, or “elected,” to bethe “master function” which is then responsible for collecting data fromadapter in a less disruptive manner. In one embodiment, any of thefunctions can be selected as the master function, with the masterfunction typically being the function that first discovers a need tocollect data from the adapter.

Communication between the various functions takes place at the operatingsystem level (operating system 301). Device drivers 320 are executed bythe operating system to execute the various functions. In the exampleshown, Func 1 is the function that is selected to be the master.Functions running the same protocol may be different instances of thesame driver. For example, since Func 0 and Func 2 are both running theFibre Channel protocol, they could both be separate instances of thesame Fibre Channel driver. Likewise, since Func 1 and Func 3 are bothrunning the Ethernet protocol, they could both be separate instances ofthe same Ethernet protocol. As separate instances, the various functionsmaintain their own separate memory spaces on the host (e.g., main systemmemory managed by operating system 301 and separate from memory providedon adapter 300). The execution instances of the various functions aredepicted in device drivers 320 within operating system 301 (Func 0 shownas instance 330, Func 1, shown as instance 331, Func 2 shown as instance332, and Func 3 shown as instance 333). In one embodiment, each of thedrivers is programmed so that functions executed as an instance of thedriver is capable of operating in both a master and non-master role.When one of the functions identifies a need to collect data frommulti-function adapter, that function attempts to be elected, orselected, as the master function in order to assume the role as masterfunction and coordinate the collection of data from the adapter in aless-disruptive manner.

In the example shown, Func 1 has been selected as the master function.As such, it is the only function allowed to collect data from theadapter disruptively. Further, the master function signals the other(non-master) functions so that the non-master functions also collectadapter-related data. However, as previously mentioned, the non-masterfunctions collect data from adapter 300 in a non-disruptive manner. Thedata collected by the various functions is stored by the operatingsystem in one or more files. Disk, or filespace, 340 is managed by theoperating system and is used to store the collected adapter-relateddata. In one embodiment, each function stores a separate file with datacollected by that function. In the example shown, data collected by Func0 is stored in file 350, data collected by Func 1 is stored in file 351,data collected by Func 2 is stored in file 352, and data collected byFunc 3 is stored in file 353. Data collected by Func 1 is depicted as asomewhat larger file (351) that the data files associated with the otherfunctions as, in the example, Func 1 is serving the role as the masterfunction and, therefore, is likely collecting more data from adapter 300than is being collected by the other functions.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting processing performed at each functionthat is operating on the common adapter to collect data when necessary.In one embodiment, the logic shown in FIG. 4 is included in each of thedevice drivers. Processing commences at 400 whereupon, at step 410, eachfunction is utilizing the multi-function adapter based on the type ofdevice driver being executed for the function (e.g., a Fibre Channelprotocol, an Ethernet protocol, etc.).

During normal usage of the adapter by the function, a condition mayarise that prompts the function to attempt to collect data from theadapter. A determination is made as to whether such a condition hasoccurred at the function (decision 420). If such a data collectioncondition has arisen, then decision 420 branches to the “yes” branch toperform further data collection steps. At step 425, the processdetermines the urgency of collecting the data from the adapter. Someconditions may prompt an urgent collection of data, while otherconditions may allow for a less-urgent collection of data. Factors thatmight be considered regarding whether the data collection is urgentinclude: the likelihood of disruption at the adapter, the tolerance of adisruption event at the adapter (by the function or by other functions),whether a device driver problem has been detected, whether an adapterproblem has been detected, whether the adapter signaled a problem orerror condition, an whether the data collection event is a result of arequest received by the function by an administrator (e.g., user of thesystem, etc.) or from an external process.

A determination is made by the function as to whether data collection isurgent (decision 430). If data collection is deemed urgent, thendecision 430 branches to the “yes” branch whereupon, at step 440, a flagis set indicating that the data collection urgency is TRUE. Otherwise,if data collection is not deemed urgent, then decision 430 branches tothe “no” branch whereupon, at step 450, the flag is set indicating thethe data collection urgency is FALSE. Regardless of whether the datacollection is urgent, at predefined process 460, the function attemptsto be selected (e.g., elected, etc.) as the master function (see FIG. 5and corresponding text for further processing details). A determinationis made as to whether the function was selected to be the masterfunction (decision 470). If the function was selected to be the masterfunction, then decision 470 branches to the “yes” branch whereupon, atstep 472, the function assumes the role of the master function for theadapter and, at predefined process 475, the function (now in the role asthe master function) performs the master function data collectionprocess (see FIG. 6 and corresponding text for further processingdetails). Once the master function data collection process hascompleted, the function relinquishes the role as being the masterfunction and processing loops back to step 410 to continue normaloperations using the adapter (e.g., in a non-master function role).

Returning to decision 470, if the function is not selected to be themaster function, decision 470 branches to the “no” branch for furthernon-master processing. The function might not be selected to be themaster function if another function has already been selected to be themaster function. For example, an adapter error might be detected bymultiple functions running at the adapter, and each of the detectingfunctions might attempt to be selected to be the master function.However, once a first of the functions is selected to be the masterfunctions, the other functions request to be master will be denied.Returning now to decision 420, if this function does not detect a datacollection condition or request, decision 420 branches to the “no”branch to identify if any other functions have signaled for a datacollection process.

When a function is serving in a non-master function role, it detectswhether another function has signaled for a data collection event(decision 480). In one embodiment, a data collection event is signaledby another function (e.g., the master function) using a GET message thatis broadcast to the other functions. If another function has signaledfor a data collection event, then decision 480 branches to the “yes”branch whereupon, at predefined process 490, the non-master functionperforms a non-disruptive data collection process (see FIG. 7 andcorresponding text for further processing details). Processing thenloops back to step 410 to continue normal operations using the adapter.On the other hand, if no other function has signaled a data collectionevent, then decision 480 branches to the “no” branch bypassingpredefined process 490 and loops back to step 410 to continue normaloperations using the adapter.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting an inherent approach to electing amaster function that collects data from the adapter. As will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, many different approaches canbe implemented in order to select, or elect, a function to serve as themaster function for the adapter. The approach shown in FIG. 5 is aninherent approach whereby the first function to signal the otherfunctions regarding a data collection event is selected, or elected, tobe the master function. In one embodiment, a messaging service isimplemented by the operating system, by the various device drivers, orby a device driver manager to facilitate communication between thefunctions. In a further embodiment, when one function successfullybroadcasts a message, or a particular message, to the other functions,then the signaling function is automatically, or inherently, deemed tobe the master function. Processing in FIG. 5 is shown commencing at 500whereupon, at step 510, the function broadcasts a particular message tothe other functions running on the adapter. In the example shown, themessage is a GET message that further instructs the other functions tocommence collecting data from the adapter in a non-disruptive manner. Adetermination is made as to whether the broadcast message was successful(decision 530). In one embodiment, once a function successfullybroadcasts a GET message, then other functions are unable to broadcastanother GET message until such time as the master role has beenrelinquished by the function that first broadcasted the GET message. Ifthe broadcast message was successful, then decision 530 branches to the“yes” branch whereupon, at step 540, a flag is set indicating that thefunction's selection (or election) to be the master function wassuccessful and the function assumes the master function role until thedata collection process is complete. On the other hand, if the selection(or election) was unsuccessful, then decision 530 branches to the “no”branch whereupon, at step 550 the flag is set indicating that thefunction has not been selected as the master function and that thefunction continues to serve as a non-master function at the adapter.Processing then returns to the calling routine (see FIG. 4) at 595.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the steps performed by one of thefunctions to collect data after being elected the master function. Themaster function data collection process commences at 600 whereupon, atstep 610, a determination is made as to whether data collection at theadapter was previously deemed urgent (decision 610). If the datacollection process was not deemed to be urgent, then decision 610branches to the “no” branch whereupon, at step 620, the master functionwaits for a short time period or until all acknowledgements have beenreceived from the other (non-master) functions. This waiting allows theother functions to possibly complete critical processes before thepossibly disruptive data collection process begins. On the other hand,if the data collection has been deemed urgent, then decision 610branches to the “yes” branch to immediately commence collectingadapter-related data using what might be a disruptive data collectionoperation.

At step 630, the master function executes what might be a possiblydisruptive data collection operation on the multi-function adapter 300.At step 640, the master function collects its host-based function datathat is associated with the master function (e.g., from memory area 331shown in FIG. 3, etc.). The data collected by the master function isstored in file 650 which is maintained as a disk file by the operatingsystem (e.g., as in Func 1 data 351 shown in FIG. 3, etc.). Oncecollected, file 650 can be analyzed by a human operator or process inorder to identify a problem or error condition that is occurring (e.g.,a bad adapter, etc.). While the host-based data is being collected, atstep 645, the master function starts receiving data from themulti-function adapter based on the possibly disruptive data collectionrequest that the master function sent to the multi-function adapter.This adapter data received at step 645 is stored in system memory andthen stored in data file 650.

A determination is made as to whether the master function has receivedan acknowledgement from the other functions responsive to the masterfunction's previous GET message that was broadcast to the otherfunctions (decision 660). If all of the acknowledgements have beenreceived, and the master function has not yet broadcast a COLLECTmessage, then decision 660 branches to the “yes” branch whereupon, atstep 670, the master function broadcasts a COLLECT message to the other(non-master) functions. The COLLECT message informs the other functionsthat data collection is underway and that, after collecting data usingthe non-disruptive collection process, the other functions should remainin the data collection routine until further instructed by the masterfunction to resume normal operations. On the other hand, if all of theacknowledgements to the GET message have not been received, or if theCOLLECT message has already been broadcasted, then decision 660 branchesto the “no” branch bypassing step 670. If one or more of the non-masterfunctions appears to be inoperative or hung with no acknowledgementbeing received from such inoperative functions, then the acknowledgementcan be assumed to have been received from such inoperative function.

A determination is made as to whether the master function is stillreceiving data from the multi-function adapter and the master functionhas not yet sent the COLLECT message (decision 675). If the masterfunction is still receiving data from the adapter and the masterfunction has not yet sent the COLLECT message, then decision 675branches to the “yes” branch which loops back to continue collectingdata from the adapter and storing the data in data file 650. Thislooping continues until all of the data has been received from theadapter and the master function has sent the COLLECT message to thenon-master functions, at which point decision 675 branches to the “no”branch to complete the master function process.

A determination is made as to whether acknowledgements have beenreceived from the other functions responsive to the master function'sprevious COLLECT message that was broadcast to the other functions(decision 680). Once again, if one or more of the non-master functionsappears to be inoperative or hung with no acknowledgement being receivedfrom such inoperative functions, then the acknowledgement can be assumedto have been received from such inoperative function. Ifacknowledgements have not been received from the other functions inresponse to the COLLECT message, then decision 680 branches to the “no”branch which loops back to wait for the acknowledgements.

Once all of the acknowledgements have been received from the otherfunctions responsive to the master function's previous COLLECT messageand the master function's data collection process is complete, thendecision 680 branches to the “yes” branch to terminate the collectionprocess. At step 685, the master function broadcasts a TERMINATE messageto the other (non-master) functions, with the TERMINATE messageindicating that the data collection process has completed and thefunctions can resume normal operations. At step 690, the master functionwaits for acknowledgements from the other functions responsive to themaster function's TERMINATE message. Once the acknowledgements have beenreceived, at step 695, the master function relinquishes its role as themaster function and becomes a non-master function. Processing thenreturns to the calling routine (see FIG. 4) at 699.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting the steps performed by the non-masterfunctions to communicate with a master function and to collect data in anon-disruptive manner. Processing commences at 700. In one embodiment,when a first GET message is broadcast, subsequent functions areinhibited from broadcasting another GET message until the masterfunction has terminated the collection process. However, in anembodiment that does not inhibit the broadcast of subsequent GETmessages, it might be possible for a function to receive more than oneGET message. In order to prevent such an occurrence, decision 710 checkswhether a GET message has been received while the non-master function isalready performing a collection process. If a subsequent GET message isreceived, then decision 710 branches to the “no” branch whereupon, atstep 715, an error is returned to the function that broadcasted the GETmessage to prevent the function from attempting to assume the masterfunction role, and processing returns to the calling function (see FIG.4) at 720. On the other hand, if the function receives a GET message andthe function is not currently performing the collection process, thendecision 710 branches to the “no” branch to perform the non-master datacollection process.

At step 725, the non-master function returns an acknowledgement to themaster function's GET message. At step 730, the non-master functionmight attempt to complete any critical work that was being performed bythe function prior to receiving the GET message. However, if the masterfunction has determined that data collection is urgent, the masterfunction might perform a disruptive data collection process at theadapter which might prevent this function from completing its criticalwork. At step 740, the non-master function executes a non-disruptivedata collection operation on the multi-function adapter. Since thefunction is not the master function, it is not allowed to perform anydisruptive data collection processes on the adapter.

At step 745, the non-master function collects its host-based adapterfunction data while receiving the requested data from the adapter. Atstep 760, data is received from the multi-function adapter where it isstored in system memory before being stored in data file 750 (e.g., asin Func data 0 350 in FIG. 3, etc.). Management of data file 750 isperformed by the operating system. A determination is made as to whetherthe non-master function is still receiving data from the adapter inresponse to the non-disruptive data collection request previouslyexecuted by the function on the adapter and the COLLECT message has notyet been received from the master function (decision 770). If data isstill being received and if the COLLECT message has not yet beenreceived, decision 770 branches to the “yes” branch which loops back tocontinue collecting data from the adapter and storing the data in datafile 750. At some point while the function is collecting data from theadapter, at step 775, the function receives a COLLECT message that hasbeen broadcast from the master function. The COLLECT message informs thenon-master function that the data collection process is currently beingperformed at the adapter. When the adapter is finished sending data tothe non-master function and the non-master function has finished storingthe collected adapter data into data file 750 and the COLLECT messagehas been received, then decision 770 branches to the “no” branchwhereupon, at step 780, the non-master function sends an acknowledgementto the master function's COLLECT message, thereby informing the masterfunction that this non-master function has completed its data collectionprocess. The master function will wait until all of the data collectionprocesses have been completed (by the master function and each of thenon-master function), before broadcasting a TERMINATE message. At step785, the non-master function waits until it receives the TERMINATEmessage from the master function. The TERMINATE function informs thenon-master function that the data collection process has completed atthe adapter. At step 790, the non-master function sends anacknowledgement to the master function acknowledging the TERMINATEmessage. Processing then returns to the calling routine (see FIG. 4) at795 whereupon the non-master function can resume normal functionprocessing (e.g., Fibre Channel processing, Ethernet processing, etc.).

One of the preferred implementations of the invention is a clientapplication, namely, a set of instructions (program code) or otherfunctional descriptive material in a code module that may, for example,be resident in the random access memory of the computer. Until requiredby the computer, the set of instructions may be stored in anothercomputer memory, for example, in a hard disk drive, or in a removablememory such as an optical disk (for eventual use in a CD ROM) or floppydisk (for eventual use in a floppy disk drive). Thus, the presentinvention may be implemented as a computer program product for use in acomputer. In addition, although the various methods described areconveniently implemented in a general purpose computer selectivelyactivated or reconfigured by software, one of ordinary skill in the artwould also recognize that such methods may be carried out in hardware,in firmware, or in more specialized apparatus constructed to perform therequired method steps. Functional descriptive material is informationthat imparts functionality to a machine. Functional descriptive materialincludes, but is not limited to, computer programs, instructions, rules,facts, definitions of computable functions, objects, and datastructures.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, that changes and modifications may bemade without departing from this invention and its broader aspects.Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theinvention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will beunderstood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number ofan introduced claim element is intended, such intent will be explicitlyrecited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no suchlimitation is present. For non-limiting example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimelements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim element by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element,even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more”or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an”; the sameholds true for the use in the claims of definite articles.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information handling system comprising: one ormore processors; a memory coupled to at least one of the processors; aset of instructions stored in the memory and executed by at least one ofthe processors to collect data from an adapter that is utilized by aplurality of functions, wherein the set of instructions perform actionsof: dynamically determining a master function selected from theplurality of functions; allowing performance of a disruptive adapterdata collection process by the master function; and inhibitingperformance of disruptive adapter data collection processes by thenon-master functions.
 2. The information handling system of claim 1wherein the instructions perform further actions comprising: selectingone of the plurality of functions to be the master function.
 3. Theinformation handling system of claim 2 wherein the selecting comprises afirst broadcast message operation from a first of the plurality offunctions to the other functions, wherein the first broadcast messageoperation is performed before a second broadcast operation is performedby a second of the plurality of functions, and wherein the firstfunction is selected to be the master function.
 4. The informationhandling system of claim 2 wherein the instructions perform furtheractions comprising: relinquishing a master role assumed by the masterfunction after collecting data from the multi-function adapter, whereineach of the plurality of functions has a non-master function role afterthe relinquishing.
 5. The information handling system of claim 2 whereinthe instructions perform further actions comprising: directing each ofthe non-master functions to perform a non-disruptive data collectionprocess, wherein the directing is performed by the master function;collecting data from the multi-function adapter using the non-disruptivedata collection process by each of the non-master functions; andcollecting data from the multi-function adapter using a disruptive datacollection process by the master function.
 6. The information handlingsystem of claim 5 wherein the instructions perform further actionscomprising: prior to collecting the data, determining, by the masterfunction, whether the collection of data is urgent; in response todetermining that the collection of data is non-urgent, waiting a shorttime interval before collecting the data from the multi-function adapterusing the disruptive data collection process, wherein the short timeinterval allows the non-master functions to complete one or moreoperations before the disruptive data collection process occurs; and inresponse to determining that the collection of data is urgent,immediately collecting the data from the multi-function adapter usingthe disruptive data collection process.
 7. The information handlingsystem of claim 6 wherein one or more of the functions are PCIfunctions, and wherein the instructions perform further actionscomprising: collecting, by each of the plurality of functions, adapterrelated data stored in a host memory separate from the multi-functionadapter; determining, by the master function, that the disruptive datacollection process has completed and that each of the non-masterfunctions has completed collecting the data from the adapter using thenon-disruptive data collection process; signaling, by the masterfunction, to each of the non-master functions that normal operations cancommence in response to the determination; and relinquishing a masterfunction role previously assumed by the master function so that themaster function becomes a non-master function and resumes normaloperations, wherein the relinquishing is performed after thedetermination.
 8. A computer program product stored in a computerreadable medium, comprising computer instructions that, when executed byan information handling system, causes the information handling systemto collect data from a multi-function adapter utilized by a plurality offunctions by performing actions comprising: dynamically determining amaster function selected from the plurality of functions; allowingperformance of a disruptive adapter data collection process by themaster function; and inhibiting performance of disruptive adapter datacollection processes by the non-master functions.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 8 wherein the actions further comprise:selecting one of the plurality of functions to be the master function.10. The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the selectingcomprises a first broadcast message operation from a first of theplurality of functions to the other functions, wherein the firstbroadcast message operation is performed before a second broadcastoperation is performed by a second of the plurality of functions, andwherein the first function is selected to be the master function. 11.The computer program product of claim 9 wherein the actions furthercomprise: relinquishing a master role assumed by the master functionafter collecting data from the multi-function adapter, wherein each ofthe plurality of functions has a non-master function role after therelinquishing.
 12. The computer program product of claim 9 wherein theactions further comprise: directing each of the non-master functions toperform a non-disruptive data collection process, wherein the directingis performed by the master function; collecting data from themulti-function adapter using the non-disruptive data collection processby each of the non-master functions; and collecting data from themulti-function adapter using a disruptive data collection process by themaster function.
 13. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein oneor more of the functions are PCI functions, and wherein the actionsfurther comprise: prior to collecting the data, determining, by themaster function, whether the collection of data is urgent; in responseto determining that the collection of data is non-urgent, waiting ashort time interval before collecting the data from the multi-functionadapter using the disruptive data collection process, wherein the shorttime interval allows the non-master functions to complete one or moreoperations before the disruptive data collection process occurs; inresponse to determining that the collection of data is urgent,immediately collecting the data from the multi-function adapter usingthe disruptive data collection process; collecting, by each of theplurality of functions, adapter related data stored in a host memoryseparate from the multi-function adapter; determining, by the masterfunction, that the disruptive data collection process has completed andthat each of the non-master functions has completed collecting the datafrom the adapter using the non-disruptive data collection process;signaling, by the master function, to each of the non-master functionsthat normal operations can commence in response to the determination;and relinquishing a master function role previously assumed by themaster function so that the master function becomes a non-masterfunction and resumes normal operations, wherein the relinquishing isperformed after the determination.